We hit the road at 6 am this morning and headed for the Red Center and Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. On our way, we crossed the border into the Northern Territory and drove through Erlunda, the center of Australia.

When we arrived at Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, we stretched our legs by hiking to the first lookout on the Valley of the Winds track. Even though it was only a little over 1 km to the lookout, the trail was pretty difficult, and you had to climb cliff faces that angled more than 45 degrees. There were areas with loose rocks and others with extremely smooth stone faces. It was a challenge but entirely worth it when you got to the lookout. Midway through hike, Jason stopped us (so we could catch our breath) and taught us a little bit about geology and how Kata Tjuta was made.

After we did the hike, we hurried over to a couple lookouts so we could get a good picture of the Kata Tjuta rock formations. They were incredible in their own way. If you’re into geology, I’m sure you’d be even more fascinated by them. But I still can’t believe these rocks are a tourist attraction. I understand that religiously they are important to an Aboriginal people called the Anangu, but why would they be so important to us? What is all the hype about? Is it all a great marketing campaign? Maybe I’m just getting jaded after having seen so many rock formations on this tour? It’s difficult to keep the same enthusiasm I had on day one as I close in on the two-week mark. Still, I wouldn’t change anything if I could (well, maybe less hiking and bugs but that’s it).

@Big Bro – The bug’s body was at least six inches long but I think it was harmless. Everything out here is just bigger. It’s kinda amazing. The guide was swatting flies away. They were everywhere at Uluru and Kata Tjuta. People even wore fly nets so they wouldn’t land on their faces. They want to get all your liquid – eyeball juices, snot, spit, whatever.